Summer Music Festivals

One of the best parts about the summer is enjoying the extra hours of sunlight by hanging out with friends and listening to great music outside. No matter what type of music you enjoy listening to, there is probably a summer music festival out there for you. Festivals happen all over the world and all year long, depending on where they are held. However, summer seems to bring these festivals out in force. So, check out the festivals below, get outside, and enjoy the music.

Wakarusa Music Festival

This music festival in Ozark, Arkansas, will be happening soon, so if you are interested in attending it, you should purchase your tickets soon. Not only will you be able to enjoy live music outside, but you can participate in a costume parade, enjoy yoga every morning of the festival, learn to use a hoola hoop to focus your flow and movement, participate in a disc golf tournament, and enjoy a number of other activities. The festival takes place from May 30th to June 2nd. You will be able to see bands like Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee, Dispatch, and many others.

Bonnaroo

As one of the most popular summer music festivals in the world, Bonnaroo gets a lot of press, so you might have heard of it before. However, you may not know what else goes on during the four-day festival. Bonnaroo, which takes place from June 13th to the 16th, provides festival-goers with a game lounge, chances to try new beers, a festival newspaper, a movie tent, art, a comedy tent, and a lot of other opportunities that are unique to Bonnaroo. This year’s lineup is huge and includes musicians and bands such as: Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Wilco, and a lot of other great music. Chris, a blogger who runs I Love Bonnaroo, offers some advice on staying hydrated: “The 5 gallon jugs at the grocery store are cheap and easy to manage. We brought one for each person and added extra for the camp shower.” Make sure you stay hydrated in Tennessee’s hot summer air.

Rock Werchter

As an older and more established music festival, Rock Werchter takes place every summer in Belgium. This year, the music festival will take place July 4th through the 6th. What started as a small rock and blues festival in the 1970s has turned into a huge four-day event that has featured some of the world’s most popular music. While this festival does not offer as many additional activities as Bonnaroo, you will certainly have the opportunity to see some amazing bands and musicians. This year’s music line-up includes artists such as Green Day, The National, Sigur Ros, Vampire Weekend, and Kings of Leon. This festival is really worth the travel.

Snowy Mountains of Music

While this unique festival happens in Australia, it actually takes place in snowy mountain fields, which provides an extremely unique way to enjoy the live music. The festival will take place from June 7th to June 10th. At the festival, you will be able to take advantage of intimate acoustic sessions, get up and dance around to some flowing rhythms, and as always, enjoy some late night jam sessions. Some of the artists at this year’s festival include Between the Wars, The Brass Knuckle Brass Band, The Con Artists, and Rapskallion.

Belsonic

Held every year since 2008, Belsonic is an outdoor music festival that takes place is Belfast, Northern Ireland. The concert, while not as large as some others, has seen acts in the past such as The Flaming Lips, David Guetta, Vampire Weekend, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Paramore. The festival will take place from August 16th to the 28th this year, and you will be able to enjoy bands like The Lumineers, Bullet for My Valentine, and many others that have not yet been announced.

As you start searching for a music festival this summer, be sure you keep your options open. If you have been going to the same festival for years, then maybe it is time to branch out and try a new one. You never know what music you may discover.